Proprietary Browser Plugins like Flash and Silverlight are Dead

October 4, 2015
In the very early history of the web, browser plug-ins played a vital role by enabling rich online multimedia experiences and complex web application functionality. However, along with these capabilities, plugins came with some inherent weaknesses that soon came to the forefront, and have ultimately contributed to their rapid downfall. 
 
Plugins consume an excessive amount of system resources and expose networks to serious security risks. Also, plugins are not designed for touch, and that is a significant disadvantage as mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have overtaken desktop computers in terms of popularity and adoption. Last but not least, plugins are based on proprietary programming, making it difficult to predict or control their support across different browsers and operating systems.
 
These are the very factors that have resulted in the demise of Flash and Silverlight technology. 
 
Earlier this year, with the release of the latest version of Chrome desktop Beta, the browser automatically paused Flash animations that — in Google’s words — “aren’t central to the webpage.” The reason cited was that auto-playing Flash content drains laptop batteries.
 
That same month, Firefox was forced to temporarily block Flash because of security concerns following the Hacking Team Leak.
 
Technology experts and reviewers are now proactively calling for an immediate and official retirement of Flash. Wired Magazine’s article ‘Flash.Must.Die‘ puts across its point in a pretty succinct manner:
 
“Because Flash is a closed, proprietary system on a web that deserves open standards. It’s a popular punching bag for hackers, which puts users at risk over and over again. And it’s a resource-heavy battery suck that at this point mostly finds its purchase in pop-up ads you didn’t want to see anyway.”
 
A recent TechCrunch article titled ‘Farewell To Flash: What It Means For Digital Video Publishers‘, also highlights the near demise of Flash, stating that: “Publishers need to urge their buyers to prepare for the upcoming Flash-pocalypse”.
 
Silverlight’s departure came even faster than that of Flash. Microsoft announced the end of life of Silverlight 5 in 2012. Soon afterwards, Microsoft also declared that they had concluded further development of Silverlight except for patches and bugfixes. Today, Silverlight is not supported on most popular mobile and web browsers.
 
So, what’s the alternative? The rise of HTML5 was the final nail in the coffin for these deprecated technologies. HTML5 is robust, widely supported and works great with mobile technology. Because of its characteristic advantages, HTML5 is being developed rapidly by a large number of technology groups, further increasing its capabilities across-the-board. In addition, search engine optimization aficionados root for HTML5 because, unlike Flash and Silverlight, supports a semantic structure that web crawlers such as Google Search know and understand. This is great news for your website’s SEO if your website is built using HTML5. 
 
Clearly, for event marketers and digital media property owners, this is the time to evaluate their technology solutions and make sure that their audience is being served their interactive content on all devices, browsers and operating systems without any hitch. If any of your properties are still being built exclusively or even partially on Flash or Silverlight technology, then not only is your audience being underserved, but also your window of transitioning to a better solution without disrupting the user experience may be a very tiny one.

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.